Anti-Snag Guiding Device For Hoses, Cables Or Other Flexible Longitudinal Elements

ABSTRACT

An anti-snag guiding device for a hose, cable or other flexible longitudinal element, designed to prevent such flexible longitudinal element, when laid across a floor or other surface, from becoming trapped or snagged by a wheel of a vehicle or with platform lifts or other types of tools existing in the work place. The anti-snag guiding device incorporates a rigid body made of a single piece of plastic, metal or equivalent material, having a wedge-shaped configuration with a curved profile allowing it to be inserted into the space between the wheel and the floor. The bottom side of the device is flat with a base made of rubber or other elastic material to provide a support element against the floor. The perimeter side surface of the body of the device has a curved-concave cross-section profile against which the flexible longitudinal element rests and slides.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to an anti-snag guiding device for hoses, cables and other flexible longitudinal elements, which provides essential new features and notable advantages compared to the means known and used for the same purposes in the current state of the art.

More particularly, the invention proposes the development of a guiding device which allows generally flexible longitudinal elements such as hoses, cables, wires, ropes, etc. to be handled easily, preventing these flexible longitudinal elements from becoming snagged or trapped during their handling, with the consequent drawbacks of considerable loss of time spent untangling them, or even causing possible breakage and the inherent increase in operating costs. The device is designed in such a way that it presents a guiding surface which generally has a concave cross-section seen from the outside, which allows smooth sliding of the flexible longitudinal elements being used in each particular situation. The device can adopt various configurations which facilitate its adaptation and utility in a variety of sectors of use, both domestic and industrial.

The invention's field of application is included in the industrial sector devoted to the manufacture of auxiliary devices and utensils with application in industry and the domestic field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Everyone knows that on a daily basis we are presented with multiple situations in which it is necessary to handle some kind of flexible longitudinal element, such as hoses, cables or other flexible longitudinal elements of a similar nature. When handling elements of this type which are laid out across the floor or another surface and have to be moved, stretched, gathered up and/or moved to change the location of the tool or utensil associated with the end of the flexible longitudinal element, it is normal for this flexible longitudinal element to have multiple objects in its path with which it can become trapped or tangled, with the consequent need for the user to free it. It may even be damaged, requiring change or repair.

A particularly relevant example, in which situations of the type mentioned frequently occur, can be seen in paint and vehicle repair workshops, where hoses carrying paint, air, etc. are handled. In the case of paint booths, given that the hoses must be laid across the floor to prevent any possible loss or leak of paint particles from falling directly on the vehicle being painted, it is a common occurrence that, as the user extends the hose carrying the product, it becomes snagged in the space between the vehicle wheels and the floor surface. If the hose is then pulled, what happens on the majority of occasions is an effect which is precisely the opposite of the one intended, i.e. the hose becomes trapped even further with the wheel and the hose grips the vehicle wheel tighter, because the curvature of the wheel favours the hose becoming trapped in this area. This translates into a considerable waste of time, to a shorter life for the hoses because of the effects of the gripping and pulling they must withstand and, in short, to increased costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Taking into account the situation inherent in the current installations, the device in the present invention has been designed with the aim of providing an effective solution to the drawbacks currently encountered during the use of flexible longitudinal elements like the ones mentioned; the aim is to avoid these elements becoming trapped, snagged or even broken, to make users' work easier and save time and costs for the professionals obliged to use these elements. These objectives have been fully met using the device which will be the subject of the invention described below.

In essence, the device of the invention can adopt various forms of embodiment, all of them designed so that a flexible longitudinal element (hose, cable, pipe, etc.), laid out on the floor and guided by being supported and sliding against the surface of this device, can be handled without difficulty during its use.

To do so, according to a first form of embodiment, the anti-snag guiding device adopts a general configuration, the profile of which looks like a wedge with a curved edge, which can be positioned against the external surface of a wheel, following its curvature. In this case, the device consists of a body made of plastic, metal or other material capable of providing a smooth surface, the body of which has a flat lower base, preferably made of rubber or other elastic material, while around the upper perimeter it includes an edge to adjust it so that it fits against the wheel. The side face of the device adopts a configuration with a curvilinear cross-section, specifically concave towards the outside, to allow the hose or other longitudinal element to pass without becoming trapped against the aforementioned surface; it also prevents this flexible longitudinal element from being pressed against the wheel and becoming trapped between it and the supporting plane (the floor or other surface).

In a variant of the embodiment, the device consists of a base which, when rested on the floor, has a telescopically extendable portion following the longitudinal direction of the wheel, and an arm at right angles to this, which extends in the transverse direction of said wheel. At the intersection of the base and the aforementioned transverse arm, a roller element has been joined to occupy a sloping position following the ascending perimeter edge of the wheel and constitutes the means for supporting and guiding/sliding the flexible longitudinal element. As a result, any space between the wheel and its supporting plane (the floor) which might possibly trap the aforementioned flexible longitudinal element is thus hidden.

Furthermore, as stated previously, the anti-snag guiding device can be materialised according to other variants of embodiment applicable to the facilities available in the place of use. In this sense, according to the invention, the anti-snag guiding device can be designed from a roller or revolving body with a curved-concave generatrix against which the hose or other flexible longitudinal element being used rests and slides, the body of which is finished off at the top with a head portion whose diameter is substantially larger to restrict and prevent as far as possible the flexible longitudinal element from coming out of the passage provided by the curved-concave surface of the device's roller; at the lower edge this is linked to a supporting base which presents from opposing side positions two telescopically extendable claws which terminate in hook-shaped ends. This embodiment is particularly applicable to the case where a grille or similar element exists at a certain distance from the position occupied by the vehicle wheel, in which the hook-shaped ends of the two claws can be inserted and adjusted to the required distance to fix the position of the device in relation to this grille.

As an additional variant to this last form of embodiment described, the anti-snag guiding device can consist of a revolving body with a curved-concave generatrix of the same type described above, also finished off at the top with a head portion with increased diameter, but in such a way that the bottom end is attached to a pressure suction element, preferably of the suction cup type, which makes it easy to attach the device to any suitable flat surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be demonstrated more clearly with the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, provided solely for illustrative purposes and not restrictive in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show two schematic views, a side elevation and a rear perspective, respectively, of an anti-snag guiding device for flexible longitudinal elements according to a first form of embodiment of said device;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show schematic views, also a side elevation and rear perspective, of a variant of embodiment of the device in the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view, in perspective, of an example of embodiment designed for fixing to a grille or similar element, and

FIG. 6 is a variant of embodiment of the example in FIG. 5, in which the device includes means for fixing by pressure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned above, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment anti-snag guiding device proposed by the present invention will be given in the following with the help of the attached drawings, in which the same numerical references are used to designate the same or similar parts. So, dealing firstly with the representations in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, they show two views of a side elevation and rear perspective, as stated, of a first preferred embodiment of the anti-snag guiding device recommended by the invention; in these views, the anti-snag guiding device appears coupled to a vehicle wheel, hiding the space between the surface of the wheel and the plane of the floor which normally constitutes an area where a hose, cable or similar can become snagged when they are laid out across the floor and are being handled at a distance.

Studying these representations, it can be seen that the device consists of a substantially rigid body 1, made of a suitable material such as plastic, metal or other material which can be mechanised with a sliding, anti-adherent, smoothed or polished side surface, in which this side surface has a curved-concave cross-section as appears in both the aforementioned FIGS. 1 and 2, and as indicated with the numerical reference 1 a. Body 1 includes a bottom base 2 made of rubber or other elastic material which facilitates its positioning on the support plane and also the pressure coupling of the body against the wheel “R” of a vehicle (shown in broken lines in the Figures because it is included solely for illustrative purposes, and does not form part of the invention). In addition, body 1 includes an upper edge 3 to adjust it to the external surface of the wheel “R”.

Body 1 is a one-piece rigid element, but in a modified version which has just been described, it could consist of two portions, of which the front one is used for adjustment. This modified form can be understood better with reference to the version of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which the anti-snag guiding device consists of a base coupled to the side space between the wheel and the support plane following the longitudinal direction of the wheel; it is formed of two telescopically extendable portions 4, 5, of which one portion 4, which occupies the rear position, is attached to a portion of the arm 4 a which extends transversally, also between the wheel and the support plane (normally the ground). Included in the connection between the base portion 4 and the transverse arm 4 a is a joint, equipped with an internal recovery spring (not visible in the Figure), from which extends a roller element 6 consisting of a revolving body with a curved-concave generatrix for coupling, as far as possible, with the curved profile of the edge of the wheel “R”. This roller 6 is finished of at the top with a support head 7, which is curvilinear and concave towards the wheel to support on two faces of the latter and enveloping the perimeter edge thereof.

As will be understood, the coupling of the base 4, 5 against the surface of the wheel “R” in a suitable position keeps roller 6 supported against the perimeter edge of the wheel by virtue of the action of the recovery spring mentioned earlier. This presents a curved-concave surface to support the hose, cable or other flexible longitudinal element being used to transport paint or other fluids to any tool coupled to the far end of this flexible longitudinal element which is being handled by a user to carry out a specific task. The support head 7 also constitutes a restricting element for the flexible longitudinal element, working to ensure that the latter is kept within the limits of the aforementioned roller 6.

Now referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, this shows a schematic view, in perspective, of an alternative version of embodiment of the anti-snag guiding device of the present invention. In this case, the device is constructed from a generally rectangular shaped base 8, which on two opposite sides includes gripping elements, or claws 9 a, 9 b which are telescopically extendable with regard to said base 8, and which are finished off at their respective ends with hook-type formations. Emerging at right angles to the plane of the base, from a centred position, is a body or roller 10, of rigid design which, seen from the outside, consists in general of a revolving body with a curved-concave generatrix, which provides the supporting surface for the hose, cable or other flexible longitudinal element to slide through without becoming snagged. The roller 10 is finished off at the top with a head 10 b, the diameter of which is substantially larger than body 10 a, for the purposes of working on keeping the flexible longitudinal body against the curved-concave surface of the body 10 a.

In this case, the anti-snag guiding device is designed to be used from a position separate from the wheel “R” as represented in FIG. 5. More specifically, the hook-shaped configuration in which both portions of claws 9 a, 9 b associated with the base terminate, allow the device to be hooked to a grille or similar element; the telescopic extension feature of the two claws 9 a, 9 b with regard to the base 8 allow them, once the means of positioning has been chosen, to be adjusted to the appropriate distance to keep the anti-snag guiding device secure in its operating condition.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a construction modification of the example embodiment in FIG. 5, in which an anti-snag guiding device is provided for flexible longitudinal elements, designed to be positioned at a certain distance from a wheel “R” of a vehicle which may be being painted, but preventing the possibility of the hose becoming trapped under the wheel. Device 10′ according to this modified version is of the type which is fixed by pressure. For this purpose it has been built from a rigid body 10′a configured as a revolving body obtained from a curved-concave generatrix, finished off at the top with a head 10′b of a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the body 10′a, but which at its lower end is attached to a suction cup 11 which has a rim 12 around the perimeter to seal it hermetically. This device has the advantage that it can be applied on any flat surface, in the position which is most convenient for the operation being carried out.

According to the above description, the anti-snag guiding device of the present invention has been developed for use preferably in domestic or professional environments in which it may be splashed with products such as paint, solvents or other pollutants, and even subjected to temperatures considerably higher than usual ambient temperatures. For these reasons, on the one hand the materials used for the manufacture of the different elements forming the whole (plastic, metal, etc.) have been chosen for their features which enable them to withstand the aggressive nature deriving from the surroundings in which they are used; on the other hand, the whole may incorporate a disposable protective surface film, which may be discarded and replaced by a new one when the circumstances so require, thus guaranteeing greater durability of the whole and that it remains in optimum operating conditions.

As will be understood, a device like the one described, in any of its versions or variety of embodiments, fulfils perfectly the anti-snag and protection function for hoses, cables or other flexible longitudinal elements which, when laid out across the floor, are moved during the use of tools or other utensils associated with the end of these flexible longitudinal elements. It also has the additional advantage that, when carrying out the guiding function, it provides additional utility by protecting the various tools used in work stations such as, for example, in the case of scissor platform lifts which, when raised, leave all their mechanical parts exposed; the device prevents cables or other flexible longitudinal elements from reaching the position of these mechanical parts and even becoming tangled between them, with the resulting damage caused when the platform lift returns to its rest position.

It is not considered necessary to extend the content of this description so that an expert in the matter can understand its scope and the advantages deriving from it, and how to carry out the practical embodiment of its object.

The above notwithstanding, and given that the description provided corresponds solely to an example of preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the essential nature of the invention makes it possible to introduce multiple variations of detail, also protected, which may affect its shape, size or the materials used to manufacture the whole or its parts. This does not involve any alteration of the invention as a whole, which is delimited solely by the claims provided below. 

1. An anti-snag guiding device for a flexible longitudinal elements, the device being designed to prevent the flexible longitudinal element laid out across the floor from becoming trapped or snagged either with a wheel of a vehicle on which a painting or another type of maintenance work is being carried out, or with platform lifts or other types of tools existing in the work place, comprising: a rigid body made of only one piece of material, wherein said body has an approximate wedge-shaped configuration with a curved profile which allows it to be inserted into the space between the wheel and the floor, extended in the longitudinal direction of the wheel; a flat bottom side of which is equipped with a base made of rubber or other elastic material to provide a support element on the floor or other surface; and a perimeter side surface of said rigid body having a configuration with a curved-concave cross-section profile against which the flexible longitudinal element rests and slides.
 2. An anti-snag guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the base element comprises: a body positioned longitudinally against the wheel, consisting of two telescopically extendable portions, where a first portion is positioned at the rear of the base body and connected to an arm able to be transversely positioned against the surface of the wheel, with the base body including a connecting point to the aforementioned transverse arm having a joint to a rigid roller element by means of a recovery spring, with the roller element providing the supporting surface for flexible longitudinal element and being configured to adapt to the curved profile of said wheel, for which purpose it has a revolving body shape delimited by a curved-concave generatrix finished off at the free end with a head to be supported on the perimeter edge of the wheel.
 3. An anti-snag guiding device according to claim 1, comprising: a substantially rectangular-shaped base body which incorporates on opposite ends a pair of claws which can be telescopically extended with respect to said base, where each of the claws is finished off at its free end with a hook-shaped configuration; and a roller element centrally emerging from the base body consisting of a rigid revolving body with a curved-concave generatrix finished off at the top side with a head having diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the aforementioned rigid body.
 4. An anti-snag guiding device according to claim 3, wherein said roller element is jointly attached at a bottom end to a fixing element able to be fixed by pressure, such as a suction cup or another equivalent, where said bottom end of said roller element is finished off with a hermetic seal applicable to the perimeter edge of said fixing element.
 5. An anti-snag guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible longitudinal element is a hose.
 6. An anti-snag guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible longitudinal element is a cable.
 7. An anti-snag guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the material is plastic.
 8. An anti-snag guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the material is metal. 